Housing arrangements
If you are going to Brazil in an Ohio State education abroad program, most likely the housing arrangements will be done for you. If you plan on traveling around while there, we recommend that you use Airbnb (prices can be very low depending on the city) or stay in a hostel. Hostelworld is a great website to locate hostels around the world. Here are some other resources about finding more permanent housing in Brazil:
Weather and clothes for each season
The weather in Brazil is very much based on where you are going. Usually, people are concerned with the winter, but unless you are going to the very south of Brazil, and have never experienced a stronger winter, there is usually not much cause for concern.
Hotter weather is more common throughout the country and the year. It is important to be mindful of putting on sunscreen, and light layers are a good way of protecting your skin without feeling like it is too hot.
Local stores vary through the country and are always worth looking into. But some good bets on price and fair quality that are easily found around the country are:
Banks and tips to open a bank account
Brazil is a huge country, but unlike to the United States, it has bigger banks that can be found all over the country instead of smaller, regional ones. You can find good advice on opening a bank account online. Keep in mind that to open an account you will need to wait a least 12 months, since most banks require a residence permit. Therefore, students who will be in Brazil for a short amount of time should look into getting a credit card while in the United States that does not have extra international usage fees. If you use a credit card, always choose to be charged in the local currency and not in USD. This is extremely important because you might incur hidden fees if you choose to pay in USD.
You can also you use a debit card to withdraw cash at a Brazilian bank, but you will have to pay extra fees. So, if you want to use cash, withdraw larger amounts (so that you do not have to keep paying the fees) and store it safely.
Tips for exchanging money
The currency in Brazil is called the Real, here are some tips on how to exchange your money!